Inflatable and illuminable figure

ABSTRACT

An inflatable and illuminable figure in which the figure is provided with a window of transparent plastic material bordered by attachment pockets, and a cell containing a light source and having a convex window is secured to the figure by tabs which are received in the pockets and secured therein by a gripping force created when the figure is inflated.

United States Patent Moran June 27, 1972 [s41 INFLATABLE AND ILLUMINABLE3,363,350 l/l968 Moran ..40/l06.$4 FIGURE 2,593,188 4/1952 Rikelman......46/88 x 2,383,390 8 1945 J b ..40 214 [72] Inventor: James G. Moran,122 North Rose Street, ac? s Burbank Calif 91505 3,233,352 2/1966 Proector et al. ..40/217 X [22] Filed: June 3, 1970 Primary Examiner-RobertW. Michell Assistant Examiner-Richard Caner [21] Appl. No.: 42,968Atmmey Lyon &Lyon

[52] U.S. Cl. ..40/126 B, 46/88 ABSTRACT [51] An inflatable andilluminable ti gure m which the figure is pro- [58] Field of Search i 6vided with a window of transparent plastic material bordered byattachment pockets, and a cell containing a light source I 56]References Cited and having a convex window is secured to the figure bytabs UNITED STATES PATENTS Lemelson ..40/214 X which are received in thepockets and secured therein by a gripping force created when the figureis inflated.

6 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PATENVEBJum zen O rflllllllllll INVENTOR.

l/ mMEs MO/QA/V ,d'rroe/vsns INFLATABLE AND ILLUMINABLE FIGUREBACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates tothe type of inflatable and illuminable figures shown in my previouspatents, U.S. Pat. No. 2,748,256, issued May 29, 1956; and US. Pat. No.3,363,350, issued Jan. I6, 1968. The illuminating means shown in each ofthese patents is located entirely within the boundaries of the figure,and while the selection of proper materials and low wattage illuminationwould reduce the danger of fire resulting from contact between the lightsource and the walls of the figure, in those cases, some danger mightstill exist and may raise the question of safety.

The present invention seeks to minimize the danger and to accomplishsome other advantages which are summarized in the following objects:

First, to provide an externally mounted and vented light source forinflatable figures which is readily secured to or removed from thefigure.

Second, to provide an inflatable and illuminable figure wherein thefigure is provided with a sealed transparent window and a cellcontaining a source of illumination and having a convex transparent sideis secured over the window so that essentially the same illuminatedeffect is obtained as would be obtained were the source of illuminationlocated within the figure. 7

Third, to provide an inflatable and illuminable figure, as indicated inthe preceding object, wherein the figure is provided with tang receivingpockets bordering the transparent window, and the cell is provided withmating tangs to be received in the pockets when the figure is limp, orpartially deflated, or completely deflated; then, upon inflating thefigure, the region of the figure underlying the cell is pressed againstthe cell to secure the cell in place.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an essentially diagrammatical sideview at a reduced scale of the inflatable and illuminable figure.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary partial sectional, partial side view,taken from 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view, taken through 3-3ofFIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view, taken through 4-4 ofFIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a further enlarged fragmentary sectional view, taken through5--5 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is another further enlarged fragmentary sectional view, takenthrough 6-6 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary side view, showing a modified form of themounting means for the illumination cell.

The present invention is incorporated in an inflatable figure orenvelope 1, which may take many forms; that is, the envelope may suggesta human figure such as a clown, a decorative figure such as a candle ora commercial figure such as a bottle. The envelope is formed oftranslucent plastic material and is provided with a filler entrance 2through which air may he forced and which is provided with a suitableconventional closing means.

In the exercise of the present invention, one side of the figure isprovided with a window 3, which may be an opening therein or merely atransparent area. Covering the window either on the inside of the figureor the outside thereof is a flexible lamina or plate 4, having atransparent area 5 registering with the window 3. The window 3 and thetransparent area 5 are shown as oval in shape and the lamina is securedto the envelope by an inner heat seal ring 6 adjacent the window and anouter heat seal ring 7 spaced therefrom so as to form therebetween anannular space 8 sealed from the interior of be omitted and heat sealloops 10 be provided, as indicated in FIG. 7, which form isolatedpockets 11.

A domed cell 12 is provided which is formed of relatively rigid plasticmaterial, or may be formed of metal. The cell 12 is provided withlateral projections 13, each having a depending tang 14, adapted to bereceived in one of the slots 9. In order to facilitate insertion intothe pockets, one pair of tangs may be longer than the other.

The underside of the cell 12 is recessed upwardly to form a lamp socketcavity 15 which receives a lamp base 16, secured in the upper wall ofthe cavity 15. The lamp base supports within the cell 12 a lamp 17. Thecavity 15 is provided with vent holes 18, and the upper portion of thecell 12 is provided with another set of vent holes 19. The lamp base isprovided with a lamp cord 20 which extends downward and may be heldagainst the envelope 1 by retainer loops 21.

In the region of each lateral projection 13, the cell is providedimmediately outward from each projection 13 with a slot 22. The side ofthe cell 12 confronting the envelope 1 is provided with a relativelyrigid transparent convex cover 23, having tangs 24 which fit into theslots 22. The cover is capable of being moved from the cell to provideaccess to the lamp 17.

Operation of the inflatable and illuminable figure is as follows:

The cell 12, including the convex cover 23, is fitted on the envelope 1when the envelope is deflated or partially deflated. This is done byinserting the depending tangs 14 into the slots 9. Upon inflating theenvelope, the surfaces of the envelope and the lamina 4 underlying thecell and its convex cover are pressed outwardly thereagainst, firmlysecuring the cell and its cover in place. In addition, the lateralextensions and tangs may be normally coplanar and caused to conform tothe envelope when it is inflated so that a biasing force is applied tothe extensions and tangs tending to retain the tangs in the pockets.

The transparent area 5 conforms completely with the convex cover so thatthe cover establishes a concave region within the envelope so as toensure adequate distribution of light within the envelope. While thewindow is referred to as transparent, the window and the cover, oreither one, may be slightly translucent. Also, the convex cover or theportions confronting the cover may be coated or impreganted withfluorescent material to increase the effective illumination within theenvelope. Still further, the walls of the envelope may be similarlytreated.

While particular embodiments of this invention have been shown anddescribed, it is not intended to limit the same to the details of theconstructions set forth, but instead, the invention embraces suchchanges, modifications and equivalents of the various parts and theirrelationships as come within the purview of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An inflatable and illuminable figure, comprising:

a. an inflatable envelope formed of flexible translucent materialadapted, when inflated, to form a three dimensional figure and includingan essentially transparent flexible window;

b. a domed cell having a light source therein, and an essentiallytransparent relatively rigid convex wall dimensioned to overlie andcoincide with the window;

c. means for removably securing the cell to the envelope with the convexwall coinciding with the window; and

depressing the window into the figure to distribute light throughout theinterior of the figure.

2. A figure, as defined in claim 1, wherein:

a. the margins of the convex wall are provided with projections andcorresponding portions of the cell are provided with slots to removablyreceive the projections, thereby to permit removal of the convex wallfrom the cell when the cell is removed from the envelope.

3. A figure, as defined in claim I, wherein said securing means furthercomprises:

a. two laminations sealed together at the margins of the window to forma set of pockets having entrance slots;

b. and a corresponding set of tangs extending from the cell forreception in the pockets.

4. A figure, as defined in claim 1, wherein said securing meanscomprises:

a. a pair of lateral projections at each lateral side of the cell,

terminating in depending tangs;

b. and a pair of laminations sealed together at opposite side margins ofthe window to form a set of pockets having entrance slots at their upperends to receive the tangs.

5. An inflatable and illuminable figure, comprising:

a. an inflatable envelope formed of flexible translucent materialadapted, when inflated, to form a three dimensional figure and includingan essentially transparent window;

b. a lamina for the window and a marginal portion of the envelope aroundthe window and forming with the envelope a set of pockets havingentrance ends facing in the same direction;

c. a domed cell having a set of lateral projections and range extendingtherefrom in the same direction for reception in the pockets thereby toposition the cell over the window;

d. said envelope, on being inflated, producing a binding force betweenthe pockets and the tangs tending to secure the cell on the envelope;and

e. a light within the cell exposed to the interior of the envelopethrough the window.

6. A figure, as defined in claim 5, which further includes:

a. a transparent convex wall interposed between the cell and theenvelope for depressing the window to increase light distribution in theenvelope. 7

t i i t i

1. An inflatable and illuminable figure, comprising: a. an inflatableenvelope formed of flexible translucent material adapted, when inflated,to form a three dimensional figure and including an essentiallytransparent flexible window; b. a domed cell having a light sourcetherein, and an essentially transparenT relatively rigid convex walldimensioned to overlie and coincide with the window; c. means forremovably securing the cell to the envelope with the convex wallcoinciding with the window; and depressing the window into the figure todistribute light throughout the interior of the figure.
 2. A figure, asdefined in claim 1, wherein: a. the margins of the convex wall areprovided with projections and corresponding portions of the cell areprovided with slots to removably receive the projections, thereby topermit removal of the convex wall from the cell when the cell is removedfrom the envelope.
 3. A figure, as defined in claim 1, wherein saidsecuring means further comprises: a. two laminations sealed together atthe margins of the window to form a set of pockets having entranceslots; b. and a corresponding set of tangs extending from the cell forreception in the pockets.
 4. A figure, as defined in claim 1, whereinsaid securing means comprises: a. a pair of lateral projections at eachlateral side of the cell, terminating in depending tangs; b. and a pairof laminations sealed together at opposite side margins of the window toform a set of pockets having entrance slots at their upper ends toreceive the tangs.
 5. An inflatable and illuminable figure, comprising:a. an inflatable envelope formed of flexible translucent materialadapted, when inflated, to form a three dimensional figure and includingan essentially transparent window; b. a lamina for the window and amarginal portion of the envelope around the window and forming with theenvelope a set of pockets having entrance ends facing in the samedirection; c. a domed cell having a set of lateral projections and tangsextending therefrom in the same direction for reception in the pocketsthereby to position the cell over the window; d. said envelope, on beinginflated, producing a binding force between the pockets and the tangstending to secure the cell on the envelope; and e. a light within thecell exposed to the interior of the envelope through the window.
 6. Afigure, as defined in claim 5, which further includes: a. a transparentconvex wall interposed between the cell and the envelope for depressingthe window to increase light distribution in the envelope.